Bako National Park
Bako National Park things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Getting here: Bus Asia (red, labelled "Bako"), starting from 7am from the station in front of "All Joy Bakery", 1MYR to the driver, no change (about 1h). Walk about 5min to the jetty. Register online and pay the entrance fee (20MYR), find someone to share the boat (5pax max) and pay for it (100MYR each way per boat, you have to pay for both way; sharing between 5 will be 40MYR each return). The ride last about 15min, depending on the tide you will arrive at the NP jetty or straight at the main beach (Talau Assam). At the reception the provide you with a map of the trails and other useful tips. The park: All the structures and facilities are nice, clean and well maintained. The staff is kind and friendly. You can book different kind of accommodation and stay overnight. I've been to the hostel for 15MYR/night. It was a lodge with 4 rooms and 4 beds per rooms with shared bathroom. They provide bed sheets, towel and a blanket. Toilets had toilet paper, the shower has one temperature that is not cold, it's nicely cool. Cafeteria provide snacks and drinks (1.5L water 5MYR) and buffet menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner (you pay per scoop or piece for example 1scoop of rice 3MYR). I found the buffet style perfect for the place, you can build your meal (veg, carb, proteins) according to your needs and this is extremely important in such environment. The trails: Before starting check both the estimated time and the length, a trail of 700m might seem easy but the time is 1h15 so probably it's pretty hard! T. Paku (trail 4) and T.Pandan Kecil (6) end on a sandy beach, T. Pandan Besar (5) end on a cliff with a nice view of the bay. 4+5+6 will take about 4-5h. T. Delima (2) is a short trail that ends on a mangroves beach, the way here has a beautiful vegetation. Lintang (9) is a loop, the only view point is actually obstructed by trees. Tg. Rhu (7) ends on a cliff with a view, there are no trail to go down to the rocky beach but if you want you can make it. Make sure you stop at the shelter for a great 180° view on the bay. 9+7 will take about 7h. Tips: If you do a day trip make sure you take the first bus from Kuching (7am), the last boat to go back is at 3pm; start with 6+5, add 4 and 2 if you have time. I recommend to stay minimum one night to see more animals (proboscide monkey are more active at sunset/sunrise) and not to stress too much with the time. I think the best option is 2N3D, you have more chance to see animals and a good sunset (and a beautiful night sky), and to make shots with nice light. Also, you have time to do all the trails available. Do not overestimate yourself and do not underestimate the trails! It's HOT and it's HUMID, breathing is harder. Drink at least 1L water before going and bring minimum another 1.5L. Pack the lunch (not a snack!) if you walk for more than 3h. If you think it can help, bring your own snack like protein bars or sport drinks since cafeteria doesn't have these kind of stuff (you can buy chips, chocolate bars and coke). Apply suncream more often than usual since you're going to sweat a lot. There are parts of trails not covered by trees. Do not come with kids! There is not much else do to beside hiking, yes you can go for a boat ride and see wild animals but that's it! You CANNOT swim in the sea (there are crocodiles)! And there are no swimming pools! Trails are too hard for kids and, as I already said, too HOT.
Elena ArenaElena Arena
60
Bako National Park with Sea Stack Formation Day Tour in Kuching Yesterday I had the pleasure of embarking on the Bako National Park with Sea Stack Formation Day Tour in Kuching, and I must say, it was an incredible experience that exceeded all my expectations. This tour not only offered stunning natural beauty but also provided an opportunity to witness diverse wildlife up close. One of the highlights of the tour was encountering three different kinds of monkeys. The sheer thrill of observing these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat was awe-inspiring. From mischievous long-tailed macaques to the acrobatic silver leaf monkeys and the adorable proboscis monkeys, every sighting was a magical moment. Witnessing their playful antics and observing their unique behaviors added an extra layer of excitement to the tour. Our guide, Johaldi, played an instrumental role in making this tour truly exceptional. His deep knowledge of the park and its inhabitants was evident from the start. Johaldi's passion for wildlife and conservation shone through as he guided us through the trails, pointing out interesting facts about the flora and fauna we encountered along the way. His expertise and enthusiasm brought the park to life, making the experience not only informative but also entertaining. Johaldi's explanations were clear and engaging, making it easy for everyone in the group to understand and appreciate the significance of the ecosystem. He patiently answered our questions and shared captivating anecdotes that added depth to our understanding of Bako National Park. His dedication to ensuring our safety and comfort was also commendable, as he navigated the trails with expertise, always keeping a watchful eye on the group. The Sea Stack Formation, a unique geological feature, was another breathtaking sight during the tour. The majestic rock formations rising out of the sparkling waters of the South China Sea were a sight to behold. The contrast between the rugged cliffs and the serene sea created a picturesque landscape that left an indelible impression. All in all, Bako National Park with Sea Stack Formation Day Tour in Kuching was a remarkable experience. The opportunity to witness three different species of monkeys in their natural habitat was truly exceptional. Thanks to our knowledgeable and passionate guide, Johaldi, the tour was educational, engaging, and filled with memorable moments. I highly recommend this tour to nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers seeking an immersive and enriching experience in Kuching's natural wonders.
Rody Figueroa QuijanoRody Figueroa Quijano
20
I reached the boat terminal of this island park around 12 noon as I went first to see the orangutan sanctuary. Boat terminal were charging 100 Ringgits for the 20 minutes boat ride and another 100 Ringgits for return of the boat. I suggested the boat fare to be shared with other passengers who would use the same boat and the person at the counter said no other person were travelling after 12noon. So my first advice would be to reach the boat terminal at 8am and therefore you get a cheap deal with the shared boat fare. Washrooms at the Boat terminal and the main office at the island were ok. However, neither toilets nor drinking water facilities were available along the trails. On arrival to the island I went to the main office to collect the map. Though a photocopied map was given after charging 20 Ringgits for entrance fees, the routes were not clear and without a guide it was very difficult to follow the trails. I would recommend to go as a tour group to minimize the costs and hire a guide as well. Though the website stated that the park would open up to 5pm, boat service informed me that the last regular return boat service would be at 3pm. I negotiated to return at 5pm as I left to the island park late. The boatman agreed to pick me up at 5pm though he suggested me to come to another part of the seashore as he cannot pick up after 3pm at the usual dock. Then I had to enter the boat through the sea water and consequently I had to remove my shoes and socks. The seashore was interesting with starfishes, small crabs and plovers moving around. During the boat ride I also noticed several fishes were jumping and apparently this part of the sea was having abundant fishes though the water was muddy. Also I noticed prawn traps were laid on the way. On the other hand, I could not find the proboscis monkey which was said to be the main attraction of the park. I could not see much birds except some small birds such as sunbirds, tailorbird and fly catchers. There were multiple warning signs to not to get inside the sea as it was infested with dangerous crocodiles though I could not see any. In one of the trails I saw a small pond with large catfishes, smaller fishes and a turtle. Beautiful butterflies and dragon flies were abundant in addition to few lizards such as monitor lizard and skinks. Trails were moderately difficult and in some places steps need to be taken very carefully to avoid accidents. Some of the wooden steps were broken and not repaired. Polythene had spoiled the beauty of the beach in several places. The last public transport bus from the park left to Kuching at 5pm and after that it was very difficult to find a transport vehicle. I returned to the boat terminal at 5.30pm and was waiting for the "Grab" to find me a car for more than 2 hours in vain. Finally I spoke to one of the locals living near the boat terminal and he kindly agreed to drop me at Kuching town by his car. I would therefore suggest all tourists to leave the island at 3pm or else to stay overnight. It would be also difficult to cover all the trails within a day between 8am and 3pm. Malaysian Government should take more effort to improve the trails and promote tourism.
Murali VallipuranathanMurali Vallipuranathan
20
I enjoyed most of my time here. Saw 3 types of monkeys (silver leaf groups, macaque groups, and 1 probiscus but far away), bearded pigs and piglets, monitor lizards, colorful butterflies, and a green grass whip snake. However, I give 1 star because I saw a guide grab the green snake and the snake lashed out trying to bite the guide, clearly stressed out and wanting to escape. I told the guide to put the snake down, cuz he's clearly stressed and your human sweat and chemicals on your skin can stunt its growth. And the guide yelled at me saying he can touch the snakes because he "knows snakes," to which I replied "then you should know better not to touch them and stress them out!" And as I was walking away cuz I couldn't stand to be around an animal abuser, he yells after me "I DO KNOW SNAKES, YOU SHOULD MIND YOUR OWN..." but I was already gone because I was very distraught seeing that poor snake struggle from essentially being choked. The park should do better at not allowing anyone, including guides to touch the animals. It was very sad to see that poor snake so scared and trying to escape đ It's horrible how normalized animal abuse is in South East Asia, and Borneo is no different. Just cuz you know how to hold a snake so it doesn't bite you, does not mean that snake is not scared and in pain from you touching it. Anyone with eyes and common sense could see that that snake's reaction was one of fear and wanting to escape. What was wrong with looking at the snake in the bush, it's natural habitat? I met some nice guides along the trail, but didn't take one myself. Most are happy to share information with passing visitors and answering questions. However, if you care for animals, I do not recommend paying for a guide unless you know for sure that that guide will not touch animals. What would otherwise have been a great day at a well-maintained park was tarnished by seeing that poor snake getting hurt by a guide who thinks making an animal fearful is an okay thing to do. I hope he gets bit by a snake if he continues this. I hope even more that he, and all the guides because I'm sure others do it also, stops touching animals.
Maddi PetroMaddi Petro
60
This park is a must-visit if youâre in Kuching. While itâs relatively small (only 27 sq km) it is reputed to have almost every type of vegetation in Borneo within its boundaries. Bako also contains a rich variety of wildlife - including the endangered Proboscis Monkey - and a coastline covered with small bays, coves and beaches. Itâs also criss-crossed with a number of hiking trails ranging in difficulty from moderate to challenging (Note: be aware that hiking here requires a reasonable level of fitness, and lots of water, in order to manage the heat and humidity). We took the advice of a number of bloggers and booked accommodation for one night (booking online is easy, but book early as there is limited availability). Accommodations are simple (we stayed in a Type 4 Forest Lodge) but do the job. Our unit had air conditioning, ceiling fans and a private toilet and âshowerâ. Note: water pressure is almost non-existent in the shower, and there was no hot water, so a cold bucket and ladle shower had to suffice. Not a huge deal, though. Staying overnight also affords you to take in the night tour, which we highly recommend. Our night tour didnât reveal any large fauna (these things are always hit and miss), but we saw a remarkable variety of insects, arachnids, amphibians, lizards and snakes. It was great! We also ensured that we arrived at the park early on the first day - around 9:00 a.m. - which allowed us to do some hiking both days (Note: getting there requires a boat trip, which costs RM200 round trip. If you can share the boat ride with others the cost per person goes down to as little as RM40 if you can get the five person maximum in your group). We had a fabulous opportunity to see a troop of Proboscis Monkeys both days, including a very up-close and personal encounter with the Alpha male of the troop. We also had the good fortune to get great views of a couple different troops of Silvered Leaf Monkeys (aka: Silvery Languars), including three mothers carrying very young babies on their chests. We highly recommend a visit to this amazing park.
Culinary SlutCulinary Slut
40
Fantastic rainforest experience How to get there: by grab from Kuching (around 50 ringgit), takes about 45 minutes and you should arrive at the Bako nationalpark car park and boat jetty (thatâs how itâs called on google maps) before 10am, to get to the national park - because of low tide the boats can only start in the morning and in the afternoon. The boat ride is quite nice and takes about 20 minutes. Because of low tide you have to walk at the park through the water to the beach. You have to âcheck inâ at the headquarters and register every tour you wanna hike- just in case you donât come back on time and the guides know where to search for you. The trails are really good marked and it would be really hard to get lost there! Our favourite trail were the one to the waterfall and the beach (Tajor) - breathtaking tour through deepest rainforest. But be careful, it takes up to 5 hours, itâs quite exhausting and not that easy to walk because you have to balance, walk over roots and muddy walkways. Be sure to carry enough water and some food with you! We also liked Telok Pandan Besar and Kecil - but itâs a popular trail with a lot of hikers and the way itself is not so beautiful than for example Telok Paku (where you can observe the monkeys with the big noses) but you reach the beach with the beautiful rock. Here you can hire one of the boats men and for 50 ringgit (per boat) he showed us the coast further up, the beautiful rock formations and brought us back to the headquarters. So you donât have to walk all the way back ;) We stayed there for one night (highly recommend), but the room (Forrest lodge type 6) is really low standard, super hot and smelly but clean and well located. I also recommend taking part at the night walk (no reservation needed, just be at the headquarters shortly before 8pm, 10 ringgit/person) that takes 1,5 to 2 hours and you can spot snakes, fireflies, Insekts, frogs and many more.
K. SchäferK. Schäfer
20
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Sarawak, Malaysia
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+60 11-6572 9294
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Website
sarawakforestry.com
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outdoor
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Description
Bako National Park is a national park in Kuching District, Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia. Established in 1957, it is the oldest national park in Sarawak. It covers an area of 27.27 square kilometres at the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula at the mouth of the Bako and Kuching Rivers.
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